TWO officials have opted to leave the Capitol after their departments were downgraded into divisions under the Office of the Governor.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (Cpadao), Provincial Tourism Office and the Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Office (CPIPO) were downgraded into divisions through the passage of an ordinance on Aug. 19, 2019.
Rory John Sepulveda, Capitol placement committee member, said at least 34 employees, including department heads, were affected by the development.
Five employees, including Cpadao chief Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca and PDRRMO head Baltazar Tribunalo, opted to leave government service.
Some 29 personnel, including CPIPO head Floreza Alpuerto, were still willing to work for the Capitol.
“The head of Cpadao did not file an answer, and it was expressed in our notice that if you don’t file an answer, we deem it that you have opted to separate from service. The other head (PDRRMO) really opted to separate from service,” Sepulveda said on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019.
Sepulveda said the affected department heads and employees will continue to receive their salaries until Nov. 15. Those who opted to separate would receive compensation equivalent to one month’s salary for every year in service.
SunStar Cebu sought Meca’s comment, but she was not available as of press time.
Tribunalo, for his part, said his separation from service was a form of respect for the present administration.
After serving the Capitol for five years, Tribunalo said he is open to work for private groups or international nongovernment organizations that focus on risk reduction and disaster management.
As for Alpuerto, she will not automatically continue to serve as CPIPO head when the four departments will officially start functioning as divisions on Nov. 18.
“(That’s still) subject to my approval. We have also to look at her qualifications,” said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. (RTF)